PCOS but no cysts?

Question

Can you have PCOS with no cysts? I am 22 and haven’t been diagnosed with PCOS but I know something is up with my reproductive system. I have very very irregular periods. Sometimes they don’t come and when they come they are for 10+ days, very heavy and clotty. I spot between periods all the time sometimes for months. I tried tracking O with temp and opks. Never got a temp shift and my opk would be positive but never ovulated. I was put on bcp which helped my period come very regularly but once I stopped it became irregular again. I’ve now developed Pica with drywall which I think is due to some deficiency but I’m not sure. I’ve been to the doctors for blood testing, ultrasounds (but vaginal and abdominal) Pap smear, urine tests, etc. every time I’m told they don’t find fibroids or cysts and “everything is normal” which it isn’t and I don’t know what’s wrong. Anyone have any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone else?

Answer

you do NOT need to have cysts to have PCOS and anyone who says different is sadly uneducated. 
to be diagnosed with PCOS you must have 2 of the following 3:
1. irregular periods
2. multiple cysts on your ovaries 
3. high androgen levels 
I have PCOS and I do not have any cysts on my ovaries. I have no period unless I’m on birth control and my testosterone levels are 3x the normal limits (all my other hormones are jacked up too but that’s besides the point). the only thing that will tell you is if you go to your OBGYN and get a pelvic/transvaginal ultrasound and bloodwork. absolutely nothing else will confirm this diagnosis.

Answer

Obgyns and doctors are gunna tell you it’s normal.. a fertility doctor wouldn’t. If you have PCOS then you definitely have too many follicles in your ovaries which lead to cyst. I don’t feel my cyst. They’re just there! I suggest maybe seeing a different doctor

Answer

I think it depends tbh, because on one ultrasound I had a shit ton and on another I had none. And both times my fertility doctor said it was normal. The cysts are pretty much failed ovulations, they come and go.

Answer

My doctor said i had PCOS but not the syndrome after seeing my ultrasound. I had <15cysts at one time on my ovaries. I had irregular periods and intermittent breakthrough bleeding. He basically said its borderline but nothing to worry about as symptoms weren't 'bad' eg. Not overweight/hairy/heavy clotty periods etc.